New Hanover liquor chief's pension almost $100K

WILMINGTON, N.C. — A local liquor board chief at the core of a controversy over extravagant spending in North Carolina's alcoholic beverage system says he will collect nearly $100,000 annually in retirement.

The StarNews of Wilmington reported Tuesday that New Hanover County Alcoholic Beverage Control administrator Billy Williams said he's gotten state notification he'll receive about $8,300 a month.

Williams said last week he would retire at the end of next month as he reaches 42 years of working for the local liquor board. He has been administrator since 1987.

All three members of the local ABC board resigned after WRAL Investigates reported that Williams had an annual salary of $232,200, and his son, Bradley, was paid $115,500 a year as assistant ABC administrator. Both men also collected hefty annual bonuses.

Billy Williams was the highest-paid ABC administrator in the state, despite the fact that areas like Mecklenburg County sold far more liquor, according to WRAL Investigates.

ABC liquor stores across the state have a wide range of employee salaries and policies. Fewer than half of the 163 local boards said they have salary policies, and a little more than half have an ethics policy in place.